Junta warships have recently stepped up their movements along the coastal waters of Ramree Township, which is under the control of the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan (Rakhine) State.
After having withdrawn to offshore waters from Ramree Township since late 2024, junta naval vessels began reappearing close to the shoreline again starting in the second week of April, according to local residents.
“Since the AA took control of Ramree, junta warships had not been seen close to the shoreline. Earlier, risks were mainly limited to fishing boats going out into open waters. Now, with two naval ships appearing near the coast again, both fishermen and villagers have become worried,” said a Ramree resident.
Since April 11, two naval vessels have been anchored near Kyauknimaw Village, creating difficulties for fishermen and those travelling by sea. Their presence has also heightened anxiety among nearby communities.
The two warships intercepted a fishing boat from Kyauknimaw Village on April 12, and looted fish as well as fishing equipment. The fishermen were threatened with being shot if they were seen again before being released.
Investigations by DMG indicated that at least 6 junta warships have been operating throughout April in maritime areas between Ramree and Manaung, Ramree and Taungup, and also between Ramree and Kyaukphyu.
“Junta warships used to be seen only around Manaung Township. Now, they have moved so close to Ramree that they can be seen clearly from shore. Residents say this is unusual, and it has raised serious concern,” a local man from Zeetaw Village in Ramree Township said.
Ramree Island, which includes Ramree and Kyaukphyu townships, is separated from Manaung Island which is still under junta control, by a strait of roughly 20 miles. It also lies more than 40 miles from Kyaukphyu, where clashes between the AA and the junta are ongoing.
Residents believe the increased naval activity around Ramree is aimed at applying military pressure and disrupting the AA’s offensive operations toward Kyaukphyu.
A resident of Laytaung Town in Ramree Township said the junta may be attempting either to project military strength or to divert the AA’s current attention from Kyaukphyu.
“Perhaps the junta has deployed these warships to pressure the AA by signalling a possible landing operation in Ramree, or it may be trying to shift the AA’s focus away from its offensives in Kyaukphyu. What is worrying is that these ships could even start shelling civilian areas,” he warned.
Since losing control of inland areas in Arakan State, the junta has expanded its maritime operations, deploying at least 30 warships from Hainggyi Island in Ayeyarwady Region along the Arakan coast since the beginning of this year.
These naval deployments are primarily supported by bases in Manaung, Kyaukphyu, and Sittwe townships. The warships have been active across southern Arakan State townships including Gwa, Thandwe, Manaung, and Kyaukphyu, and as far as the mouth of the Naf River, which forms the natural border between Bangladesh and northern Arakan State.
In addition, the junta has been using its naval forces to reinforce ground troops, provide artillery support in land battles, and block maritime routes used for transporting goods and medicine into AA-controlled areas.
